Configurable weapon station having under armor reload

ABSTRACT

A vehicle-mounted weapon station is configurable to adjust the height of a rotational elevation axis thereof. The weapon station is provided with at least one fixed hanging ammunition container that is reloadable under the armored protection of the vehicle and the weapon station shell. The weapon station may have both electrically-powered and manually-powered drive systems for rotating a pedestal about an azimuth axis relative to the vehicle, and for rotating weaponry and operational units about the elevation axis, wherein the electrical and manual drive systems transmit power through the same output gear.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field ofremote-controlled weapon stations or systems (RWSs) and manned weaponstations, and more particularly to vehicle-mounted weapon stationsdesigned to mount over a hatch opening in a top deck of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicle-mounted weapon stations are retrofittable to various types ofmilitary vehicles, including but not limited to armored combat vehicles(ACVs), mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles, armoredmulti-purpose vehicles (AMPVs), amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs), andlight armored vehicles (LAVs). The weapon stations allows personnel tooperate externally-mounted weapons from the within the armoredprotection of the vehicle.

A weapon station may be outfitted with selected weapons (e.g. guns andmissile launchers), and non-lethal operating units (e.g. target sightingunits, acoustic hailers, and illuminators), to provide desiredperformance capabilities. Missile launchers suitable for use in a weaponstation include, without limitation, a Hellfire missile launcher, aJavelin missile launcher, and a TOW missile launcher. Automatic gunsthat process linked ammunition are favored in weapon stationconfigurations.

Some of the guns falling into this category are the MK44 chain gun, CTAI30 mm and 40 mm canons, the M242 chain gun, the M230LF autocannon, theM2 machine gun, the M3 submachine gun, the MK19 automatic grenadelauncher, the M240 machine gun, the M249 light machine gun, and the M134machine gun. Of course, a weapon station may be outfitted with weaponsand operating units other than those specifically mentioned above.

The linked ammunition typically comes in the form of a long ammunitionbelt held within an ammunition container. The belt extends out throughan exit opening in the container to an ammunition feed mechanism at thegun. As an existing ammunition belt advances and is used up duringfiring, a leading link of a subsequent ammunition belt may be coupled toa trailing link of the existing belt to accomplish reloading. In somesystems, the new belt is loaded into the existing container, while inother systems, the existing emptied container is removed and replacedwith a new container holding the new belt.

One type of ammunition container designed to be reloaded when emptied isa hanging ammunition or suspended ammunition container. In this knownarrangement, an ammunition belt is folded in serpentine fashion withinthe ammunition container, with upper links in the belt being supportedby parallel rails at or near the top of the container so as to suspendor hang folded vertical segments of the belt in the container. This typeof “hanging ammo” arrangement is described, for example, in U.S. Pat.No. 2,573,774 (Sandberg); U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,609 (Darnall); and U.S.Pat. No. 8,763,511 (Schvartz et al.).

In designing a weapon station, it is desirable to provide personnel withthe capability to reload the externally mounted automatic guns withlinked ammunition while the personnel remain within the relatively safeconfines of the armored vehicle. U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2012/0186423 (Chachamian et al.) describes a system for protectedreloading of an RWS. The system comprises an extendable and retractablesupport bracket having a top plate attached to the RWS and a bottomplate for receiving and supporting an ammunition container. The bottomplate is connected to the top plate by four gas pistons enabling thebottom plate carrying the ammunition box to be raised up into the RWSturret for regular use and lowered down into the vehicle compartment forreloading. While the system enables reloading under armored protection,it requires a mechanically complicated bracket and uses space within thevehicle compartment to accommodate the lowered ammunition containerduring reloading. Given that the vehicle compartment is already veryconfined, this solution is not optimal.

Another system for under armor reloading of ammunition is described inthe aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 8,763,511 (Schvartz et al.). Theammunition containers disclosed by Schvartz et al. are open at the frontend and the rear end such that multiple containers may be stowedend-to-end in the RWS with their belts linked for regular use. Anelevator mechanism is provided to lift ammunition containers from thevehicle compartment through a hatch and into the RWS. When a rearmostcontainer is emptied, it is removed manually or using the elevator tomake room for another container. Here again, the system enablesreloading under armored protection, but it requires an elevatormechanism and uses valuable space within the vehicle compartment. Thesystem also dedicates limited space within the RWS pedestal for multipleammunition cans associated with only a single weapon.

With respect to weapons configuration, weapon station design has beenlimited by a “point solution” mindset. In other words, weapons stationsare predominantly designed with a specific weapon configuration in mind.This mindset is understandable, given that the weapon station mustincorporate sophisticated motion drive and stabilization systems torotate the station turret or pedestal about an azimuth axis, and torotate a mounted weapon about an elevation axis, with precision andaccuracy. By focusing on one or perhaps a few weapon configurations,weapon station designers can limit the loading variables that must beaccommodated and can optimize the weapon support and motion drivesystems. However, this “point solution” mindset may be detrimental tocombat preparedness because a weapon station having a fixed weaponconfiguration may become ill-suited for combat as battle conditionschange.

The height of the weapon station elevation axis is an example of aweapon station design parameter that limits the available weaponconfigurations. A relatively low elevation axis is useful for shorterbarrel guns and gives the armored vehicle a desirably low profile.However, an weapon station with a relatively low elevation axis cannotaccommodate certain longer barrel guns and missile launchers. U.S. Pat.No. 7,669,513 (Niv et al.) teaches an RWS intended to have a variety ofweapon configurations. The RWS has an automated vertically-adjustablelinkage on which a weapon mount is carried for adjusting the height ofthe weapon elevation axis. This type of system introduces other costs,complexities, and possible malfunction points to the RWS.

What is needed is a weapon station that enables reloading of ammunitionunder armor without using valuable space within the vehicle compartmentand without relying on a conveyor mechanism.

What is also needed is a mechanically simple weapon station that can bereadily outfitted with a variety of weapon configurations depending uponchanging combat requirements.

It is further desired to provide a basic vehicle-mounted weapon stationapparatus that may be adapted to provide a manned weapon stationdepending upon operational requirements.

In the event of power outages, it is highly desirable to provide formanually powered movements of the pedestal about the azimuth axis, andmanually powered movements of weaponry and operational units about theelevation axis. The apparatus for enabling manually powered movementsshould be space-efficient and compact.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In embodiments of the present invention, a weapon station isconfigurable to adjust the height of a rotational elevation axis thereofby providing interchangeable pairs of removably mounted yoke arms,wherein the pairs have different heights.

The configurable weapon station apparatus comprises a pedestal adaptedto be mounted on an armored vehicle for rotation relative to the armoredvehicle about an azimuth axis. The pedestal includes a pair oflaterally-spaced yoke arm attachment interfaces. The apparatus alsocomprises a first pair of elevation yoke arms and a second pair ofelevation yoke arms selectively exchangeable with the first pair ofelevation yoke arms in being removably mounted on the pedestal. The yokearms are configured for removable mounting on the pair of yoke armattachment interfaces of the pedestal for movement with the pedestal. Apair of elevation rotary bearings are respectively supported by themounted pair of elevation yoke arms in alignment with one another todefine the elevation axis. The apparatus further comprises an elevationdrive motor, and an elevation drive hub connected to the elevation drivemotor and supported by one of the pair of elevation rotary bearings,wherein the elevation drive hub is rotatable about the elevation axis byoperation of the elevation drive motor. An elevation follower hub issupported by the other of the pair of rotary bearings. The elevationdrive hub and the elevation follower hub are configured for removablemounting of a primary weapon thereto such that the primary weaponresides between the mounted pair of elevation yoke arms and is rotatableabout the elevation axis by operation of the elevation drive motor.

When the first pair of elevation yoke arms are mounted on the pedestal,they support the pair of elevation rotary bearings such that theelevation axis is at a first height above the pedestal. When the secondpair of elevation yoke arms are mounted on the pedestal, they supportthe pair of elevation rotary bearings such that the elevation axis is ata second height above the pedestal different from the first height.Consequently, the elevation axis is height-adjustable for replacing amounted primary weapon with a different primary weapon.

In an alternative embodiment providing height adjustment of theelevation axis, the configurable weapon station apparatus comprises apair of spacers for selective installation between a driver elevationyoke arm and a follower elevation yoke arm, respectively. Each spacerincludes a bottom end configured for removable mounting on the firstattachment interface of the pedestal and a top end having a yoke armattachment interface. The respective elevation yoke arms may be directlymounted on the pedestal (i.e. without the spacers) to set the elevationaxis at a first height. In an alternative configuration, the spacers maybe directly mounted on the pedestal and the respective elevation yokearms may be mounted on top of the spacers to set the elevation axis at asecond height greater than the first height.

In another embodiment of the invention, a vehicle-mounted weapon stationis provided with at least one fixed hanging ammunition container that isreloadable under the armored protection of the vehicle and the weaponstation shell. The ammunition container has an ammunition storageportion and an ammunition exit chute leading from the storage portion,and the ammunition container is fixed to the pedestal such that thestorage portion of the ammunition container resides at least mostlywithin, preferably completely within, an interior compartment defined bythe pedestal. The exit chute of the ammunition container extends throughthe pedestal. A belt of linked ammunition suspended in the storageportion of the ammunition container is fed through the exit chute tosupply a weapon carried by the external weapon support yoke. The fixedammunition container is reloadable by personnel under protection of thearmored vehicle and the pedestal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now bemore fully described in the following detailed description of theinvention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an RWS formed in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, without any weapons or operationalunits installed thereon;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the RWS shown in FIG. 1, whereinthe RWS is shown equipped with a central weapon cradle;

FIG. 3 is a further perspective view of the RWS shown in FIG. 1, viewingfrom underneath the RWS;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the RWS shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the RWS shown in FIG. 1, wherein a firstpair of elevation yoke arms of the RWS has been replaced with a second,taller pair of yoke arms, and the RWS is shown equipped with a lateralweapon cradle;

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the RWS shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an elevation yoke arm of theRWS shown in FIG. 5;

FIGS. 8-10 depict examples of various weapon configurations of the RWSas shown in FIG. 1, wherein shorter yoke arms are installed;

FIGS. 11-14 depict examples of various weapon configurations of the RWSas shown in FIG. 5, wherein taller yoke arms are installed;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view looking upward toward an inner compartmentof the RWS pedestal, wherein a base plate of the pedestal and otherstructure are hidden to more clearly show ammunition containers of theRWS;

FIG. 16 is another perspective view looking upward toward an innercompartment of the RWS pedestal, wherein a slip ring of the RWS ishidden to more clearly show ammunition containers of the RWS;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an empty ammunition container of theRWS; and

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the ammunition container shown inFIG. 17, wherein the ammunition container is loaded with an ammunitionbelt.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of an RWS formed in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention, without any weapons oroperational units installed thereon;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the RWS shown in FIG. 19 in a shortconfiguration thereof;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the RWS shown in FIG. 19 in a tallconfiguration thereof;

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of a pedestal of the RWS shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the RWS shown in FIG. 19 in its shortconfiguration with weaponry and operational units mounted thereon;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the RWS shown in FIG. 19 in its tallconfiguration with weaponry and operational units mounted thereon;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a drive system of the RWS shown inFIG. 19;

FIG. 26 is a bottom plan view of the drive system shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a top perspective view of an alternative drive systemincorporating a manual drive train;

FIG. 28 is a bottom perspective view of the alternative drive systemshown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a bottom plan view of the alternative drive system shown inFIG. 27, wherein linkage arm covers are removed to reveal internaltransmission structure;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectioned perspective view of a slip ring and aportion of the manual drive train of the alternative drive system;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a manned weapon station formed inaccordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, whereinthe manned weapon station is based on the RWS shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 32 is another perspective view of the manned weapon station shownin FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a weapon support cradle usable in anRWS of the present invention, wherein the cradle is shown in itsnon-inverted orientation;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the weapon support cradle shown in FIG.33, wherein the cradle is shown in its inverted orientation;

FIG. 35 is a view similar to that of FIG. 33, wherein the non-invertedcradle is shown supporting weaponry seated upon a platform of thecradle;

FIG. 36 is perspective view of the weapon support cradle and weaponryshown in FIG. D3 as viewed from underneath the weapon support cradle;and

FIG. 37 is a view similar to that of FIG. 34, wherein the invertedcradle is shown supporting weaponry suspended from the cradle platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-4 depict a remote weapon station (RWS) 10 formed in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention, wherein RWS 10 is shownwithout any weapons, weapon cradles, or other operational units mountedthereon. RWS 10 generally comprises a base or pedestal 12 and a weaponsupport yoke 14 definable by a first pair of elevation yoke arms 14A,14B. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, pedestal 12 isadapted to be mounted on an armored vehicle (not shown) so as to cover ahatch opening in a top deck of the armored vehicle and be rotatablerelative to the armored vehicle about an azimuth axis AZ. For thispurpose, pedestal 12 may include a base plate 16 to which an outerrotary bearing race 18 is attached, and a corresponding inner rotarybearing race 20 mountable to the armored vehicle. For example, innerrace 20 may be bolted onto the top deck of the armored vehicle. Pedestal12 further includes an armored shell 22 coupled to base plate 16. Asseen in FIG. 3, pedestal 12 defines an interior compartment 24 that isaccessible from within the armored vehicle. Shell 22 may include a pairof lateral hatches 23 at opposite lateral sides of pedestal 12, a pairof front hatches 25 at a front end of the pedestal, and/or a topsidehatch 27.

Rotation of pedestal 12 about azimuth axis AZ may be driven by anazimuth drive assembly 26 fixed to an interior wall of shell 22. Azimuthdrive assembly 26 includes a motor-driven output gear 28 meshing withinner gear teeth 30 of inner race 20. Azimuth drive assembly 26 may becommanded through an operator interface and control electronics (notshown) to control the angular position of pedestal 12 about azimuth axisAZ relative to the armored vehicle. A slip ring assembly 32 providessignal transmission to and from azimuth drive assembly 26 and otherelectronic units in pedestal 12 across the rotational interface.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, pedestal 12includes a pair of laterally-spaced yoke arm attachment interfaces 34for removable mounting of elevation yoke arms 14A, 14B. In theillustrated embodiment, each yoke arm attachment interface 34 includes aflat surface 36 on the exterior of shell 22, a plurality bolt holes 38registering with bolt holes 40 on the corresponding yoke arm 14A, 14B,and a central opening 42 communicating with pedestal interiorcompartment 24. The pair of elevation yoke arms 14A, 14B are removablymounted on the pair of yoke arm attachment interfaces 34 using threadedfasteners 44 extending through aligned holes 38, 40. As a result,elevation yoke arms 14A, 14B move with pedestal 12 as the pedestalrotates about azimuth axis AZ. As shown in the depicted embodiment,topside hatch 27 may be located between the pair of yoke arm attachmentinterfaces 34, and may be inclined relative to attachment interfaces 34so that spent ammunition casings slide down and do not accumulate on thetopside hatch. RWS 10 includes a pair of elevation rotary bearings 46A,46B respectively supported by elevation yoke arms 14A, 14B. Elevationrotary bearings 46A, 46B are aligned with each other to define arotational elevation axis EL at a first height H1 above pedestal 12.

Reference is also made now to FIGS. 5-7. Apparatus for RWS 10 comprisesa second pair of elevation yoke arms 14C, 14D configured for removablemounting on the pair of yoke arm attachment interfaces 34 of pedestal 12for movement with the pedestal. The second pair of elevation yoke arms14C, 14D are taller than the first pair of yoke arms 14A, 14B and can beselectively swapped with the first pair of elevation yoke arms 14A, 14Bto support the pair of elevation rotary bearings 46A, 46B at a secondheight H2 above the pedestal greater than the first height H1. In thismanner, elevation axis EL is height-adjustable for replacing a mountedprimary weapon with a different primary weapon.

As may be understood from FIGS. 4 and 7, RWS 10 additionally comprisesan elevation drive motor 48 and an elevation drive hub 50 connected tothe elevation drive motor 48 and supported by elevation rotary bearing46A, wherein elevation drive hub 50 is rotatable about elevation axis ELby operation of elevation drive motor 48. Elevation drive motor 48 maybe housed within the elevation yoke arm that houses drive hub 50 to keepdrive motor 48 near drive hub 50 and reduce complexity of a connectingdrive train assembly, however drive motor 48 may be located outside ofthe yoke arm without straying from the invention.

RWS 10 also comprises an elevation follower hub 52 supported byelevation rotary bearing 46B. Elevation drive hub 50 and elevationfollower hub 52 are configured for removable mounting of at least oneprimary weapon thereto such that the primary weapon resides between themounted pair of elevation yoke arms 14A, 14B or 14C, 14D and isrotatable about elevation axis EL by operation elevation drive motor 48.For example, hubs 50 and 52 may each include a bolt hole array used toremovably mount a weapon cradle 56 (shown in FIG. 2) or to directlymount a primary weapon housing thereto. Weapon cradle 56 may be designedto support more than one weapon.

RWS 10 may further comprise a lateral hub 58 connected to elevationdrive motor 48, wherein the lateral hub 58 is rotatable about elevationaxis EL by operation of elevation drive motor 48. Lateral hub 58 isconfigured for removable mounting of a secondary weapon thereto, eitherdirectly or through a secondary or lateral weapon cradle 60, such thatthe mounted secondary weapon is rotatable about elevation axis EL byoperation of the elevation drive motor 48.

Referring again to FIG. 4, RWS 10 may also comprise a sighting hub 62and a corresponding sighting drive motor 64. In the embodiment shown,sighting hub 62 is supported by the same yoke arm (either 14B or 14D) aselevation follower hub 52 for rotation about elevation axis EL. Sightinghub 62 is configured for removable mounting of a sighting unit thereto.Sighting hub 62 is rotatable about elevation axis EL by operation ofsighting drive motor 64. Sighting drive motor 64 is operableindependently of elevation drive motor 48, whereby sighting hub 62 and amounted sighting unit are rotatable about the elevation axis ELindependently of elevation drive hub 50 and any equipment or weaponsmounted to drive hub 50.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 4 and 7. In an aspect of the presentinvention, the second pair of elevation yoke arms 14C, 14D may bestructurally similar to the first pair of elevation yoke arms 14A, 14B.When mounted to pedestal 12, each yoke arm 14A-14D includes a respectivebase 66S or 66T and a respective cap 68 removably attachable onto base66. In the embodiment shown by the figures, the yoke arm bases 66T(tall) of the second pair of elevation yoke arms 14C, 14D are tallerthan the yoke arm bases 66S (short) of the first pair of elevation yokearms 14A, 14B. Each base 66S or 66T is adapted for removable mounting toone of the yoke arm attachment interfaces 34 of pedestal 12. Forexample, each yoke arm base 66S or 66T may include bolt holes 40registering with the bolt holes 38 of an associated yoke arm attachmentinterface 34. Caps 68 for yoke arms 14C, 14D may be identical to caps 68for yoke arms 14A, 14B, or at least they may fit onto yoke arms 14A,14B. Thus, the overall apparatus may require only a single pair of caps68 for installation on the two bases 66 of the particular pair of yokearms that currently mounted on pedestal 12 at a given time; the yoke armbases 66S or 66T not in use at a given time do not require caps 68.

When RWS 10 is configured with taller yoke arms 14C, 14D, the overallheight of the armored vehicle may prevent it from passing throughlocations where there are overhead obstructions. In order to temporarilylower the overall profile height of the armored vehicle, pedestal 12 mayfurther include a pair of yoke arm pivot interfaces 70 spaced from thepair of yoke arm attachment interfaces 34, and the yoke arm bases 66T ofthe second pair of yoke arms 14C, 14D may include a pivot coupling 72configured to mate with a corresponding pivot interface 70 of pedestal12. For example, pivot interfaces 70 may have a pair of aligned circularpivot apertures 74 with which another pair of pivot apertures 76 in base66T may be aligned, and a pair of pivot covers 78 securable into thealigned pivot apertures 74, 76. As a result, the second pair of yokearms 14C, 14D may be pivoted relative to pedestal 12 when they aresituated on, but not fixed to, yoke arm attachment interfaces 34. Inthis way, the armored vehicle can be provided with a lower profile fortravel. The yoke arm pivot interfaces 70 may define a yoke arm pivotaxis PA parallel to and behind elevation axis EL.

Changeover between the first pair of yoke arms 14A, 14B and the secondpair of yoke arms 14C, 14D may be carried out by unbolting yoke arm caps68 from the mounted yoke arm bases, removing the assembled bearings,hubs, and any drive motors housed by the mounted yoke arms, andunbolting the mounted yoke arm bases 66 from yoke arm attachmentinterfaces 34. The yoke arm bases 66 of the other pair of yoke arms arethen bolted to the yoke arm attachment interfaces 34, the driveassemblies are reinstalled and aligned in the newly mounted yoke armbases 66, and the caps 68 are bolted onto the newly mounted yoke armbases 66. Transferring the same drive assemblies and bearings betweenthe short and tall yoke arms avoids hardware cost and reduces the amountof additional hardware that must be stocked. It is also contemplated toprovide dedicated drive assemblies within each yoke arm 14A-14D so thatremoval and replacement of the drive assemblies is not necessary. Aswill be appreciated, changeover may be accomplished quickly by trainedmechanics at a military base, whereby the same armored vehicle may haveone RWS configuration one day and a different RWS configuration thenext.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate various examples of weapon configurations of RWS10 when the shorter pair of yoke arms 14A, 14B is installed on pedestal12.

In FIG. 8, there is central weapon cradle 56 mounted between drive hub50 and follower hub 52, and an M134 machine gun 100 mounted on centralweapon cradle 56 as a primary weapon. A non-lethal equipment cradle 61is coupled to lateral hub 58 and carries an acoustic hailer 102, anilluminator 104, and a grenade launcher 106. A sighting unit 108 ismounted on the opposite side of the RWS to sighting hub 62.

The configuration shown in FIG. 9 includes central weapon cradle 56mounted between drive hub 50 and follower hub 52 to support an MK19automatic grenade launcher 110 and an M2 machine gun 112. A javelinmount 114 is attached to lateral hub 58 and supports a javelin missilelauncher 116. Sighting unit 108 is mounted on sighting hub 62.

As may be understood from FIGS. 8-9 and FIGS. 33-37, central weaponcradle 56 may be mounted to drive hub 50 and follower hub 52 in anon-inverted orientation (see FIGS. 9, 33, 35, and 36) and in aninverted orientation (see FIGS. 8, 34, and 37). Invertible cradle 56comprises a pair of laterally-spaced mounting braces 56A, 56B configuredfor respective removable attachment to hubs 50, 52, and a supportplatform 56C extending between the pair of mounting braces 56A, 56B.Support platform 56C extends in a plane parallel to and offset fromelevation axis EL. In the embodiment shown, support platform 56Cincludes a first under-weapon mounting area 57A upon which a weapon maybe seated when cradle 56 is mounted in its non-inverted orientation,wherein the first under-weapon mounting area has an access opening 59A.Support platform 56C may further include a second under-weapon mountingarea 57B upon which another weapon may be seated when cradle 56 ismounted in its non-inverted orientation, wherein the second under-weaponmounting area 57B has a corresponding access opening 59B. Accessopenings 59A and 59B are positioned and sized to allow spent ammunitioncasings to drop down away from the weapon mounted above. Supportplatform 56C also includes an over-weapon mounting area 57C from which aweapon may be suspended. In the embodiment shown, over-weapon mountingarea 57C is between access openings 59A, 59B. When cradle 56 is mountedto hubs 50, 52 in its non-inverted orientation, the plane of supportplatform 56C is below elevation axis EL for seating a weapon in thefirst under-weapon mounting area 57A and/or in the second under-weaponmounting area 57B. When cradle 56 is mounted to hubs 50, 52 in itsinverted orientation, the plane of support platform 56C is aboveelevation axis EL for suspending a weapon from the over-weapon mountingarea 57C.

In FIG. 10, a TOW missile launcher 118 has a hub bracket for directmounting to drive hub 50 and follower hub 52. Lateral cradle 60 supportsan M240 machine gun 120. Sighting unit 108 is mounted on sighting hub62.

FIGS. 11-14 show examples of other weapon configurations of RWS 10 whenthe taller pair of yoke arms 14C, 14D is installed on pedestal 12replacing shorter yoke arms 14A, 14B.

In FIG. 11, a hellfire missile launch pod 122 has a hub bracket fordirect mounting to drive hub 50 and follower hub 52. Lateral cradle 60supports M240 machine gun 120. Again, sighting unit 108 is mounted onsighting hub 62.

The configuration of FIG. 12 is similar to that of FIG. 11, except thehellfire pod is replaced by an M230LF cradle 124 coupled to hubs 50 and52 that carries an M230LF autocannon 126.

In FIG. 13, a pair of 30 mm ammunition boxes 128 are associated withopposite lateral sides of RWS 10, and an MK44 chain gun assembly 130 ismounted to hubs 50 and 52 as the primary weapon. Lateral cradle 60supports M240 machine gun 120, and sighting unit 108 is mounted onsighting hub 62.

FIG. 14 shows TOW missile launcher 118 directly mounted to hubs 50 and52 as the primary weapon. Lateral cradle 60 supports M240 machine gun120, and sighting unit 108 is mounted on sighting hub 62.

The configurations shown in FIGS. 8 through 14 are intended asnon-limiting examples. Of course, many other configurations involvingother weapons and equipment are possible.

In another aspect of the present invention, RWS 10 enables reloading ofammunition under the armored protection of the vehicle and pedestal 12without using space within the vehicle compartment and without the needfor a conveyor mechanism. As best seen in FIGS. 15-18, RWS 10 comprisesan ammunition container 80 having an ammunition storage portion 82 andan ammunition exit chute 84 leading from the storage portion 82, whereinthe ammunition container 80 is fixed to pedestal 12 such that itsstorage portion 82 resides completely within interior compartment 24 ofpedestal 12 and its exit chute 84 extends through shell 22 of pedestal12. While it is preferred that storage portion 82 fit completely withininterior compartment 24, an alternative wherein storage portion 82 ismostly within interior compartment 24 is also contemplated. Storageportion 82 of ammunition container 80 has a reload opening 86 by whichthe ammunition container may be reloaded with ammunition. A belt 88 oflinked ammunition is fed from storage portion 82 through exit chute 84to supply a weapon carried by the weapon support yoke 14, and theammunition container is reloadable by onboard personnel under protectionof the armored vehicle and the pedestal.

Ammunition container 80 may include a flange 90 on exit chute 84,whereby the ammunition container 80 may be fixed to shell 22 of pedestal12 by threaded fasteners engaging the flange and the pedestal.

The storage portion 82 of ammunition container 80 may have a pair ofside walls 92 connected by a front wall 93 and a top wall 94, wherein atleast one of a bottom and a rear of storage portion 82 is open toprovide the reload opening 86. Ammunition container 80 may take the formof a “hanging ammo” container configured with an open rear and a pair ofinner support ledges 96 extending from side walls 92 to receive andsuspend a folded ammunition belt 88 that is slid into the containerthrough the rear reload opening 86. In the depicted embodiment, both thebottom and the rear of storage portion 82 are open to provide the reloadopening 86, thereby allowing greater access during reloading. As bestseen in FIG. 18, ledges 96 may have a slight dip or trough 97 to preventunwanted sliding or shifting of the suspended ammunition belt 88 as thevehicle travels over uneven terrain. Support ledges 96 may be omitted ifthey would impede the feeding of a particular size of ammunition round.

As will be understood from the drawing figures, weapon support yoke 14may be configured to support two weapons and RWS may comprise twoammunition containers 80 respectively associated with the two weapons.Those skilled in the art will understand that the dimensions andspecific configuration of each ammunition container 80 may vary and willdepend on the specific type of ammunition being fed. To allow anoperator to reload either or both of the containers 80 from the samelocation, and to simplify location of a firing control unit 98 sensingammunition status, the respective reload openings 86 of the twoammunition containers 80 may face a common reloading space 99 withininterior compartment 24.

FIGS. 19-24 illustrate an RWS 210 formed in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 19-21, RWS 210 is shownwithout any weapons, weapon cradles, or other operational units mountedthereon. RWS 210 is similar to RWS 10 described above in that itcomprises pedestal 12 including base plate 16, outer rotary bearing race18, inner rotary bearing race 20, armored shell 22, and yoke armattachment interfaces 34. As in the previous embodiment, pedestal 12defines interior compartment 24 that is accessible from within thearmored vehicle. RWS 210 may also comprise motorized elevation andazimuth drive systems as described above in connection with RWS 10. RWS210 further comprises a pair of elevation yoke arms 214A, 214Bsupporting respective elevation rotary bearings 46A, 46B definingrotational elevation axis EL.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 19-24, elevation yoke arms 214A, 214B may bedirectly mounted on yoke arm attachment interfaces 34 to positionelevation axis EL at a first height H1 (see FIGS. 20 and 23), and mayalso be indirectly mounted on yoke arm attachment interfaces 34 by wayof a pair of spacers 215A, 215B to position elevation axis EL at asecond height H2 different from first height H1 (see FIGS. 21 and 24).As may be understood, the bottom end of each elevation yoke arm 214A,214B is configured to be removably mounted directly on the pair of yokearm attachment interfaces 34, for example using threaded fasteners 44.The bottom end of each elevation yoke arm 214A, 214B is also configuredfor removable mounting on a respective attachment interface 234 at a topend of each spacer 215A, 215B using threaded fasteners 44. The bottomend of each spacer 215A, 215B is configured to be removably mounteddirectly on the pair of yoke arm attachment interfaces 34, for exampleusing threaded fasteners 244. Thus, RWS 110 may be selectivelyconfigured in a short configuration as shown in FIGS. 20 and 23, or in atall configuration as shown in FIGS. 21 and 24, depending upon whetherspacers 215A, 215B are installed or not.

In the depicted embodiment, elevation yoke arm 214A is a driverelevation yoke arm that supports elevation drive motor 48, elevationrotary bearing 46A, and elevation drive hub 50, and elevation yoke arm214B is a follower elevation yoke arm that supports elevation rotarybearing 46B and elevation follower hub 52. Advantageously, the elevationdrive motor 48 may be coupled to the driver elevation yoke arm 214A andnot coupled to the first spacer 215A, thereby facilitating selectiveinstallation and removal of spacer 215A to efficiently reconfigure RWS210. First spacer 215A may be hollow as shown in FIG. 19 to freelyreceive drive hardware extending down from driver elevation yoke arm214A.

In order to ensure axial alignment of elevation rotary bearings 46A, 46Bin both the short and tall configurations, elevation rotary bearings46A, 46B may be embodied as self-aligning ball bearings that areinsensitive to slight misalignment of elevation drive hub 50 andelevation follower hub 52.

In an optional refinement of the invention, each of the first and secondattachment interfaces 34 may define a plurality of different selectableattachment positions at which an elevation yoke arm 214A, 214B or aspacer 215A, 215B may be mounted on the attachment interface, whereby alongitudinal position (i.e. position fore to aft) of the elevation axisrelative to the armored vehicle is adjustable. The attachment positionsmay be defined by providing further bolt holes 38 in each attachmentinterface 34. In another optional refinement of the invention, a lateralspacing between the driver elevation yoke arm 214A and the followerelevation yoke arm 214B differs depending upon whether or not the firstspacer 215A and the second spacer 215B are installed. This may beachieved by configuring one or both spacers 215A, 215B such that itstop-end attachment interface 234 defines an attachment location that isoffset laterally (i.e. inboard or outboard) relative to thecorresponding underlying attachment interface 34 on pedestal 12.

FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate a basic automated drive system of RWS 210.The basic drive system comprises an electrically-powered azimuth drivemotor 29 operable to rotate output gear 28. The output gear 28 mesheswith inner gear teeth 30 of inner race 20, wherein output gear 28functions as an azimuth drive gear rotatable by azimuth drive motor 29to rotate pedestal 12 and yoke arms 214A, 214B about azimuth axis AZ.The basic drive system also comprises electrically-powered elevationdrive motor 48 operable to rotate output gear 49. The output gear 49meshes with a gear train coupled to drive hub 50 (not shown in FIGS. 25and 26), wherein output gear 49 functions as an elevation drive gearrotatable by elevation drive motor 48 to drive rotation of elevationdrive hub 50 about elevation axis EL. In the illustrated embodiment,azimuth drive gear 28 and elevation drive gear 49 travel with pedestal12 in rotating relative to the armored vehicle about the azimuth axisAZ. Slip ring assembly 32 may be incorporated in the basic drive systemto provide signal transmission to and from control electronicsassociated with azimuth drive motor 29, elevation drive motor 48, andother electronic units in pedestal 12 across the rotational interfacedefined between pedestal 12 and the armored vehicle upon which pedestal12 is mounted. In FIG. 25, components of the basic automated drivesystem are shown floating in space because supporting structure has beenhidden for sake of clarity. For example, elevation drive motor 48 andelevation drive gear 49 are actually supported by elevation yoke arm214A (not shown), and slip ring assembly 32 may actually be supported bypedestal 12.

In an aspect of the present invention, the basic automated drive systemdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26 may be enhanced inspace-efficient fashion to enable manual operation of azimuth drive gear28 and elevation drive gear 49 in the event of a loss of electricalpower to drive motors 29 and 48. As shown in FIGS. 27-30, an azimuthdrive train 250 and an elevation drive train 270 may be incorporatedinto the drive system to enable manual operation. As will be describedin greater detail below, azimuth drive train 250 is manually operable torotate azimuth drive gear 28 to thereby rotate pedestal 12 and elevationyoke arms 214A, 214B about azimuth axis AZ, and elevation drive train270 is manually operable to rotate elevation drive gear 49 to therebyrotate elevation hub 50 about the elevation axis EL.

Azimuth drive train 250 may generally include a crank 252, atransmission arm 256, a first transmission belt 258, a primary driveshaft 260, a second transmission belt 262, a secondary drive shaft 266,and a motor-input gearbox 268.

Crank 252 may have a crank arm 253 and a handle 254. Crank arm 253 maybe coupled at one end thereof to a first pulley 255, and handle 254 maybe rotatably mounted at an opposite end of crank arm 253 to extend at aright angle relative to the longitudinal direction of crank arm 253.First pulley 255 may be rotatably mounted at a peripheral end oftransmission arm 256 and connected by first transmission belt 258 to asecond pulley 259. Second pulley 259 may be fixedly mounted to a bottomend of primary drive shaft 260. As will be understood, manual rotationof crank 252 will cause first pulley 255 to rotate, and this rotationalmotion is transmitted to second pulley 259 by first transmission belt258, wherein primary drive shaft 260 is caused to rotate with secondpulley 259. As best seen in FIG. 30, primary drive shaft 260 extendsthrough a central axial passage 33 through slip ring assembly 32 and isrotatably mounted by a pair of rotary bearings 263 enabling primarydrive shaft 260 to rotate relative to slip ring assembly 32. A thirdpulley 261 may be fixed to a top end of primary drive shaft 260 torotate with primary drive shaft 260. Third pulley 261 may be connectedby a second transmission belt 262 to a fourth pulley 264 fixedly mountedon secondary drive shaft 266, wherein rotation of third pulley 261 istransmitted to fourth pulley 264 by second transmission belt 262,thereby causing secondary drive shaft 266 to rotate. Secondary driveshaft 266 may be coupled to a manual input gearbox 268 associated withazimuth drive motor 29. Consequently, in a power outage situation,azimuth drive motor 29 may be powered manually to rotate azimuth drivegear 28 to achieve rotation of pedestal 12 about azimuth axis AZrelative to the armored vehicle.

Elevation drive train 270 is very similar to azimuth drive train 250described above. Elevation drive train 270 may generally include a crank272, a transmission arm 276, a first transmission belt 278, a primarydrive shaft 280, a second transmission belt 282, a secondary drive shaft286, and a motor-input gearbox 288.

Crank 272 may have a crank arm 273 and a handle 274, wherein crank arm273 may be coupled at one end to a first pulley 275, and handle 274 maybe rotatably mounted at an opposite end of crank arm 273 to extend at aright angle thereto. First pulley 275 may be rotatably mounted at aperipheral end of transmission arm 276 and connected by firsttransmission belt 278 to a second pulley 279 fixedly mounted to a bottomend of primary drive shaft 280. Thus, manual rotation of crank 272 willcause first pulley 275 to rotate, and this rotational motion istransmitted to second pulley 279 by first transmission belt 278. As aresult, primary drive shaft 280 is caused to rotate with second pulley259. As best seen in FIG. 30, primary drive shaft 280 of elevation drivetrain 270 extends through central axial passage 33 through slip ringassembly 32 by being coaxially nested to extend through primary driveshaft 260 of azimuth drive train 250, which is embodied as a tube sizedto receive primary drive shaft 280. In the depicted embodiment,elevation primary drive shaft 280 is rotatably mounted within azimuthprimary drive shaft 260 by a pair of rotary bearings 269 to enableshafts 260 and 280 to rotate independently of one another about a mainaxis of slip ring assembly 32 that may coincide with azimuth axis AZ. Athird pulley 281 may be fixed to a top end of primary drive shaft 280 torotate with primary drive shaft 280 and may be connected by a secondtransmission belt 282 to a fourth pulley 284 fixedly mounted onsecondary drive shaft 286. Rotation of third pulley 281 is transmittedto fourth pulley 284 by second transmission belt 282, thereby causingsecondary drive shaft 286 to rotate. Secondary drive shaft 286 may becoupled to a manual input gearbox 288 associated with elevation drivemotor 48. Consequently, in a power outage situation, elevation drivemotor 48 may be powered manually to rotate elevation drive gear 49 toachieve rotation of elevation drive hub 50 about elevation axis EL.

In an advantageous refinement, primary drive shaft 280 may be embodiedas a hollow tube through which cables, for example fiber optic cables290, may be routed from one side of the rotational interface to theother.

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the present invention may also be embodiedby a manned weapon station apparatus 310. Similar to the RWS embodimentsdescribed above, manned weapon station apparatus 310 comprises apedestal 312 adapted to be mounted on an armored vehicle for rotationrelative to the armored vehicle about an azimuth axis AZ, and a weaponsupport yoke 314 carried by pedestal 312 and having laterally-spacedelevation yoke arms 214A, 214B extending upward from the pedestal, withor without optional spacers 215A, 215B as described above. Pedestal 312may include a topside hatch 327 between elevation yoke arms 214A, 214Bto enable a person to enter or exit an interior compartment of thepedestal. The illustrated embodiment depicts hatch 327 as beingconnected to the pedestal by a hinge 328, however a hatch 327 may bemade to slide along tracks to open and close if a hinged hatch does nothave clearance relative to mounted weaponry. Topside hatch 327 may beinclined relative to horizontal so that spent ammunition casings slidedown and do not accumulate on the topside hatch.

Manned weapon station apparatus 310 further comprises a personnelsupport platform 330 suspended from pedestal 12 for rotation with thepedestal about azimuth axis AZ. Personnel support platform 330 may besuspended from pedestal 312 by one or more vertical structural member332. A weapon control unit 335 and a seat 337 may be mounted on the sameor different structural members 332 for accommodating an operator.Manned weapon station apparatus 310 may further comprise a periscope 340allowing the operator to view external objects from within the interiorcompartment of the pedestal 312.

Manned weapon station apparatus 310 may further comprise slip ringassembly 32 configured to transmit power and data across a rotaryinterface established between pedestal 312 and the armored vehicle. Inthe depicted embodiment, slip ring assembly 32 is mounted to thepersonnel support platform 320 in alignment with azimuth axis AZ.Alternatively, slip ring assembly 32 may be movably mounted to an innerwall of pedestal 12, for example by a pantograph arm or other mechanicalarm that enables the slip ring assembly to be displaced within interiorcompartment 24. A user may then selectively align slip ring assembly 32with azimuth axis AZ for pedestal rotations, or move slip ring assembly32 out of the way for using topside hatch 327.

The description above relating to selective configuration of the heightof elevation axis EL for RWS embodiments applies equally to the mannedweapon station embodiment shown in FIGS. 31 and 32.

While the invention has been described in connection with exemplaryembodiments, the detailed description is not intended to limit the scopeof the invention to the particular forms set forth. The invention isintended to cover such alternatives, modifications and equivalents ofthe described embodiment as may be included within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

1.-27. (canceled)
 28. A cradle for supporting at least one weaponbetween a pair of yoke arms for rotation about an elevation axis, eachof the pair of yoke arms including a respective hub rotatable about theelevation axis, wherein the cradle comprises: a pair of laterally-spacedmounting braces configured for respective removable attachment to thehubs of the pair of yoke arms; a support platform extending between thepair of mounting braces, wherein the support platform extends in a planeparallel to and offset from the elevation axis; wherein the supportplatform includes a first under-weapon mounting area upon which a weaponmay be seated, the first under-weapon mounting area having an accessopening; wherein the support platform includes an over-weapon mountingarea from which a weapon may be suspended; wherein the cradle isattachable to the hubs in a first orientation such that the plane of thesupport platform is below the elevation axis for seating a weapon in thefirst under-weapon mounting area; wherein the cradle is attachable tothe hubs in a second orientation such that the plane of the supportplatform is above the elevation axis for suspending a weapon from theover-weapon mounting area.
 29. The cradle according to claim 28, whereinthe support platform further includes a second under-weapon mountingarea upon which a weapon may be seated, the second under-weapon mountingarea having a corresponding access opening.
 30. The cradle according toclaim 29, wherein the over-weapon mounting area is between the accessopening of the first under-weapon mounting area and the access openingof the second under-weapon mounting area.